Former Sen. Heitkamp: Trump has extended the look of how you exercise executive power

Geopolitics & International Relations - A potential meeting between President Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska is being discussed, with Russia reportedly celebrating the meeting as a major win for Putin [1][7] - The absence of the President of Ukraine, Zelensky, from the meeting raises concerns about the dialogue's preconditions and potential implications for Ukraine [7][11] - The discussion touches upon the possibility of Crimea becoming officially part of Russia as a potential condition for ending the war, highlighting Ukraine's limited influence in the matter [12] US Domestic Politics & Executive Power - The discussion revolves around the excessive use of executive power by the president, with concerns raised about the long-term implications and the difficulty of rolling back these actions [21] - There's a debate on whether the current administration's use of executive power is more pronounced compared to previous administrations [24] - The populist wing's growing influence in both the Democrat and Republican parties is reshaping the political landscape, potentially marginalizing conservative and moderate voices [19][20] Economic Policy & Trade - The conversation addresses state-sponsored capitalism and industrial policy, including the Defense Department's multi-million dollar investments in rare earth minerals companies [3][17] - Concerns are voiced regarding potential tariff escalations and the need for Congress to reclaim authority over trade matters [15][16] - The president's wide-ranging powers in trade are acknowledged, with the potential for the administration to find alternative ways to implement policies even if challenged in the Supreme Court [26][27]